Shattered

I knew that they were responsible.

But without evidence, there was nothing I could do. I wished from the bottom of my heart that it wasn't true. But the truth was as sour as the milk in the fridge.

I love Kevin and Hugh as if they were my own flesh and blood. My stepsons even call me Mum. Now they think of me as their biggest threat. It doesn't surprise me: they're twins and partners in crime in every sense of the word. By day they're prince charmings, but by night, they're Jack the Ripper.

Family or not, I'm a homicide detective with duties to perform.

Two of my cases have direct connections to my boys. I might be the only one that knows their secrets, but I'm lacking the one thing I need: physical evidence.

The first victim was Marissa Fontaine, daughter of a retired French politician. She was Kevin's ex-girlfriend and they had two children together.

Kevin tried to poison his potential father-in-law with addictive sugary treats. He had Alzheimer's and was an insulin-dependent diabetic. Mr. Fontaine survived, but Marissa never forgave him.

Kevin strolls into the kitchen in his mauve suit. He smiles at me, but I sense uncertainty with his twiddling fingers and vacant eyes. He wants to show his joy of having full custody of his kids again, but fears being caught.

"It's amazing that you got away with Mr. Fontaine's poisoning," I hiss out of the blue.

Kevin frowns. "Please, Mother... NEVER mention the Fontaines again."

"I'm investigating his daughter's death," I remind him. "Her case and your father's case have a strong connection."

"I didn't know he was a diabetic," Kevin lies, fiddling with his tie.

"Marissa told you a thousand times."

"I'm only a man," Kevin confesses. "I can't remember everything."

"You're not just any man," I scold. "You're a smart and intelligent man. And for somebody who's lost his dad, you seem rather delighted, but at the same time always on the edge."

Kevin gulps. His worst fears have been realised. "Mother, you're the only woman who considers me a man."

"Is that why you threw Marissa in the river?" I ask Kevin. "Knowing fully well that she couldn't swim."

Kevin shakes his head. "Don't even go there."

"You stabbed your father too," I snarl, straining my voice. "Because he was about to cut you out of the will."

"Why are you doing this?" Kevin sobs with his back against the wall. "You don't want me to go prison? Yeah? So stop trying to make me into a criminal?"

"You.Are.A.Criminal!"

"Mother!"

"Don't you 'mother' me!" I snap, pointing at him. "And I know that you're trying to kill one more person."

"What? You've gone loopy." I present Kevin a picture of a pretty teenager's Facebook profile. "Tami Westley, she's my girlfriend."

I shake my head. He's not getting out of this one. I have him cornered. "Whilst you're out working or with your kids in Birmingham, you get Hugh to pretend to be you whilst you keep Tami away from you. You can't stand her!"

"Hugh never leaves the house," Kevin barks. "You know that more than anybody."

"Dwain and I both worked long hours. We both come home at 10 o'clock at night. We hardly ever get days off. That gives you both plenty of time to be out and about. You two are free to swap places anytime."

"Well Mummy," Kevin roars with a grin on his face. "If you think I'm guilty, why don't you try to stop me?"

He storms out. My heart is racing. I have to honour my husband's memory. I had a choice. I either let my stepsons go or put them behind bars.